Barack Obama News

World Music Institute debuts its brand-new series MASTERS OF AFRICAN MUSIC with two legends ORLANDO JULIUS & THE AFRO SOUNDZ at LPR and KASSE MADY DIABATE at the Met Museum this fall.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins enjoys ambiguity and messing with traditional concepts and constructs. His 2014 Obie Award-winner for Best New American Play, APPROPRIATE, is a prime example as it defies categorization. He borrows themes and tropes from classic American family dramas, and the ensemble of actors in the SpeakEasy production carve out brilliant individual performances that rival anything one might see on a Broadway stage. M. Bevin O'Gara directs this breathtaking drama.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will co-host a tribute to the late legendary documentarian Albert Maysles at Alice Tully Hall on Sunday, October 4 at 10AM.

Last night, the incomparable Chita Rivera received the very first Latina Legend Award from 100 Hispanic Women, Inc. at their 19th Annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street. The Broadway icon was honored for her service representing the Hispanic community. Scroll down for a photo!

Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro's critically acclaimed new comedy Clever Little Lies begins previews tonight, September 18th, for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. Opening night is set for Monday, October 12th at the Westside Theatre (Upstairs) (407 West 43rd Street).

Tubefilter, dick clark productions and VH1 announced that Grace Helbig and Tyler Oakley, two of the web's most influential creators, will host The Streamy Awards.

On last night's TONIGHT SHOW, before the Republican debate on CNN, Donald Trump, Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham appeared on 'The Debating Game', a game show hosted by President Barack Obama.

BroadwayWorld has learned that 100 Hispanic Women's 'Latina Legend' Award will be bestowed for the first time in the history of the organization to Broadway legend Chita Rivera. 100HW will host its 19th annual awards dinner 'An Inspirational Evening' on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Cipriani's Wall Street in New York City.

Live From Lincoln Center's telecast of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET has won the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program. Therefore, six-time Tony Award-winner McDonald, is now just an Oscar Award away from the coveted 'EGOT' distinction.

In case you missed today's live-stream of President Barack Obama presenting the 2014 National Medals of Arts, read his full opening remarks from the afternoon ceremony below!

Today, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) has announced its 2015 honorees for the upcoming Environmental Media Awards, presented by Toyota and Lexus.

In a ceremony to be held at the White House today, Thursday, September 10th, President Barack Obama will present the 2015 National Medals of Arts. 

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center has announced comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo, will perform Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 at 8 p.m. 

American Idol Breakout Sensation David Hernandez brings his affable personality and dynamic vocal abilities to The Copa Palm Springs for one very special performance, September 12 at 8:00 pm.  In addition to American Idol, David has showcased his talents on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, MTV's TRL, EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Teen Choice Awards, TV Guides' Sexiest Stars 2008, Idol Tonight, Idol Gives Back and FOX-TV. A once-in-a-lifetime invitation came to David when he was asked to sing at the Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration ball for President Barack Obama. I had the chance to catch up with David as he is preparing for his Palm Springs concert. Here are a few excerpts from the interview.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents Itzhak Perlman as part of the Wilmington Trust Cultural Arts Series, Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 7PM. Purchase tickets to see the reigning violin virtuoso at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030. 

In a year defined by civil rights cases that have galvanized the country, the National Action Network (NAN) and Reverend Al Sharpton, are partnering with TV One to present the first-ever television broadcast of The 2015 Triumph Awards.

Vice President Joe Biden will make his inaugural visit to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT onThursday, Sept. 10 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Tubefilter, dick clark productions and VH1 today announced that Grace Helbig and Tyler Oakley, two of the web's most influential creators, will host The Streamy Awards.

Making his World Music Institute debut, Nigerian music legend Orlando Julius plays classic Afrobeat with a psychedelic twist, constantly pushing musical boundaries. Julius is one of the original Afrobeat pioneers, predating even Fela Kuti. Starting in the '60s, he brought together traditional African sounds and rhythms with American pop, soul, and R&B. He spent many years in the United States collaborating with Lamont Dozier, the Crusaders, and Hugh Masekela, and his voice has been an essential part of the invention, development, and popularization of Afro-pop. Julius recently released a widely praised album Jaiyede Afro, which The Guardian called a "rousing new set" and which WMI's Par Neiburger calls 'One of the best Afrobeat albums I've ever heard.' This year also marks the 50th anniversary of his 1966 release, Super Afro Soul, which made him a national celebrity in Nigeria. The record's dramatic, highly melodic incorporation of soul, pop, and funk was ahead of its time, and arguably shaped the funk movement that swept over the United States in subsequent years.